Running backs no longer run the NFL world.
For a sport that often uses terminology that resembles an actual war, it comes as no surprise that NFL teams have instead adopted an aerial attack rather than traditional boots on the ground.
The early days of the league placed an emphasis on the running-back spot, similar to a high school team that hasn't stopped running an option offense. As time goes on, coaches and players find new ways to put points on the scoreboard.
While running backs are typically a key piece to a team's success, the seemingly endless amount of quality talent at the position is what keeps them from rocketing up the draft board.
MORE: Complete 7-round 2024 NFL Mock Draft
Here's a look at where the first running back has come off the board in every NFL Draft since 1970.
First running back drafted by year
Prior to 2000, it wasn't uncommon to see a running back drafted at No. 1. It happened six times before the turn of the century, with 1995 being the last instance when Penn State's Ki-Jana Carter was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals.
Since then, however, only nine players have been able to crack the top five — Jamal Lewis, LaDainian Tomlinson, Ronnie Brown, Reggie Bush, Darren McFadden, Trent Richardson, Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette and Saquon Barkley.
Running backs have seen their average draft spot drop to 19.6 since 2010, even despite the game-breaking talent that's entered the league. With the position's average salary being the lowest for any non-special teams position — $2,025,769, per Spotrac — NFL teams have found a cheap solution to filling a crucial role.
MORE NFL DRAFT: Top 10 RBs | Top 10 WRs
As talent continues to be pushed down the board, it's a wonder whether they'll ever recover. There will always be those few special players that break through, but the best of the rest are continued to force to settle for less.
Here is where the first running back has come off the board every year since 1970:
| Year | Pick | Player |
| 1970 | 8 | Larry Stegent |
| 1971 | 6 | John Riggins |
| 1972 | 13 | Franco Harris |
| 1973 | 9 | Otis Armstrong |
| 1974 | 2 | Bo Matthews |
| 1975 | 4 | Walter Payton |
| 1976 | 3 | Chuck Muncie |
| 1977 | 1 | Ricky Bell |
| 1978 | 1 | Earl Campbell |
| 1979 | 8 | Ottis Anderson |
| 1980 | 1 | Billy Sims |
| 1981 | 1 | George Rogers |
| 1982 | 7 | Darrin Nelson |
| 1983 | 2 | Eric Dickerson |
| 1984 | 26 | Greg Bell |
| 1985 | 19 | George Adams |
| 1986 | 1 | Bo Jackson |
| 1987 | 3 | Alonzo Highsmith |
| 1988 | 14 | Gaston Green |
| 1989 | 3 | Barry Sanders |
| 1990 | 2 | Blair Thomas |
| 1991 | 14 | Leonard Russell |
| 1992 | 9 | Tommy Vardell |
| 1993 | 3 | Garrison Hearst |
| 1994 | 2 | Marshall Faulk |
| 1995 | 1 | Ki-Jana Carter |
| 1996 | 6 | Lawrence Phillips |
| 1997 | 12 | Warrick Dunn |
| 1998 | 5 | Curtis Enis |
| 1999 | 4 | Edgerrin James |
| 2000 | 5 | Jamal Lewis |
| 2001 | 5 | LaDainian Tomlinson |
| 2002 | 16 | William Green |
| 2003 | 23 | Willis McGahee |
| 2004 | 24 | Steven Jackson |
| 2005 | 2 | Ronnie Brown |
| 2006 | 2 | Reggie Bush |
| 2007 | 7 | Adrian Peterson |
| 2008 | 4 | Darren McFadden |
| 2009 | 12 | Knowshon Moreno |
| 2010 | 9 | C.J. Spiller |
| 2011 | 28 | Mark Ingram |
| 2012 | 3 | Trent Richardson |
| 2013 | 37 | Giovani Bernard |
| 2014 | 54 | Bishop Sankey |
| 2015 | 10 | Todd Gurley |
| 2016 | 4 | Ezekiel Elliott |
| 2017 | 4 | Leonard Fournette |
| 2018 | 2 | Saquon Barkley |
| 2019 | 24 | Josh Jacobs |
| 2020 | 32 | Clyde Edwards-Helaire |
| 2021 | 24 | Najee Harris |
| 2022 | 36 | Breece Hall |
| 2023 | 8 | Bijan Robinson |